Alfredsson closer to role with Senators: report

General manager Bryan Murray confirmed to the Ottawa Sun on Thursday that Senators officials, including owner Eugene Melnyk, met with Alfredsson at Canadian Tire Centre.

"We've talked," Murray told the Ottawa Citizen. "We had a good meeting and we will talk some more this weekend."

Murray said Alfredsson's role would be part-time this season because the 42-year-old is planning to stay in Detroit with his family for another year. A full-time position with the Senators is likely next year.

Alfredsson has expressed an interest in a wide-ranging role with the Senators similar to the one Steve Yzerman held with the Detroit Red Wings before becoming general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Alfredsson watched some games with Murray and spent time in the Senators' offices learning a bit about scouting after he retired as a player in December.

"I feel I want to do something at some point. When that is? I don't know," Alfredsson said in June. "It's going to come naturally when you feel it's the right time to do something."

Alfredsson spent 17 seasons with the Senators before playing the last season of his NHL career with the Red Wings (2013-14). He leads the Senators in goals (426), assists (682) and points (1,108), and he was Ottawa's captain for 13 seasons.